“But now tell me how it is with you, Siostra? You are very happy here?” Memories of the tearful face of Marian Seaton delayed for a moment her reply. Then she smiled brightly and told him, it was a very wonderful school, and she had many very good friends, but her benefactor! “You shall know the most wonderful girl of all,” enthused Helen. “My real sister and protector, Miss Allen. You have yet, my friend, something great to know, for you will learn what a girl can do for kindness alone.” “Oh, little one. I know what anyone can do for so good a sister as Helka Podonsky, but I shall like also to know this wonderful friend. I hope she may not take all the glory from Stanislaus?” This a playful quib proclaimed the youth of the boy, and one capable of enjoying persiflage. “That could not be,” replied Helen. “But I must tell you about the man who followed me in New York. He came one day to my apartment where I was with Miss Allen and her friend. He waited until he knew I was alone, then he came to my door. I was so much terrified I could only shut that door, then I fainted.” “Poor little girl,” replied the young man, “I knew they would follow you, but how did you elude them?” “That very day we left New York, and came safely to this far-away place. Oh! Stanislaus, you cannot know what Miss Allen has done for me. Always when she asked to find my friends, and I say—wait—she will wait. If then she make known where I am, I would again be found by those robbers,” and the violet eyes blazed at the thought. “But I do know something of your good friend,” he replied. “The social worker of New York wrote in her letters of this young lady. She said many fine things about her.” “She could not say half,” briefly replied Helen. The sound of a motor outside interrupted them. Miss Bennet opened the door to admit the wayfarers from New York City. CHAPTER XXX—THE ACORN AND THE OAK “Oh, it’s Jane! Come on!” called Judith, dragging in her wake such of the girls as she could collect from the study hall. “Come on and hear all the news.” At that moment the party from New York, Mrs. Weatherbee, Jane and their distinguished guest, Mme. Nalasky, were being shown in to the halls of old Wellington. There, just across the polished floor within the confines of the cozy office, Helen and her guest awaited, expectantly, and with evidence of suppressed excitement. “Here we come!” announced Jane, who led the way. “Helen—you here? We stopped at your house,” then seeing the strange young man, Jane repressed her joyous enthusiasm. Madam Nalasky was holding back a little, at the urgent request of her secretary, Marie, who openly rebelled that Madam should so endanger her voice with all this excitement. Mrs. Weatherbee was saying a private word with Miss Bennet, and that left Jane with Helen and the stranger. Jane had volunteered to go on ahead to prepare Helen for the news. She stood now, debating how to undertake her task.